Federal agents assemble Wednesday morning outside an apartment on Bartlett Street in Lewiston. (Russ Dillingham/Staff Photographer)

LEWISTON — Federal immigration enforcement activity in Lewiston since Tuesday has increased fear in the city’s immigrant neighborhoods, with residents saying their experiences with federal agents and city officials is creating lasting damage in the community.

Officials from the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement recently enacted “Operation Catch of the Day,” a heightened immigration enforcement effort across Maine. Tuesday saw about 50 arrests across the state, including some in Lewiston.

The federal agency said the operation is “targeting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens,” according to an emailed statement.

Lewiston streets were quiet Wednesday in areas where many immigrants are known to shop and work. One African woman walking in the area Wednesday afternoon said her 16-year-old son was questioned by ICE Tuesday and then told to go home. 

Some stores were closed and locked, including the Dayah Store, which posted a sign on its door stating: “We are temporarily closed until further notice. Sorry for the inconvenience.” On Lisbon Street downtown, a sign on the door at the New Mainers Public Health Initiative, which serves immigrant families, said the office would be operating remotely “temporarily until further notice.”

One shop owner, who did not want to be identified, said his customer base has gone from 20-30 people a day, to two or three, he said. Tuesday he had four or five customers, but people are afraid to come out because of ICE, he said.

Federal agents knock on a door Wednesday morning at 165 Bartlett St. in Lewiston. (Russ Dillingham/Staff Photographer)

While actual detainments have remained difficult to independently confirm, several videos circulating on social media show federal Homeland Security Investigations and ICE agents operating in Lewiston.

Residents described to the Sun Journal Tuesday seeing agents in residential neighborhoods. One migrant worker who lives on Pierce Street said they witnessed ICE agents knocking on doors at nearby buildings Tuesday and again Wednesday morning. 

The person, who asked not to be named and declined to share their country of origin, said a nearby neighbor was questioned by agents.

“They were walking around here yesterday and they caught him and interrogated him, but they didn’t take him away,” they said. “They didn’t take anyone.”

The resident said fears of ICE in their neighborhood and throughout the city are high, with many staying home, locking their doors and ignoring knocks.

“Even when they think you are here, you leave them alone,” the resident said, adding, “Why are they here? We’re here to work and we don’t hurt anyone.”

Another downtown shop owner, who did not want to be identified, said immigrants have started shopping at night, getting what they need for the rest of the day so they can “hide out” at home.

ICE has taken several people into custody, many of whom were his customers, over the last couple of weeks, he said.

When ICE has been spotted in the area people will yell “la migra” — which he believes is a Spanish reference to ICE in the area — into shops and around nearby streets to warn immigrants in the area, he said.

People have been on edge, especially his Hispanic customers, he said. He knows of at least one Hispanic customer who is keeping their children home from school and contemplating leaving the city.

Usually people congregate outside his shop and will come in and greet him, but he has not seen anyone doing that over the last couple of days, he said. He worries that ICE operations will only increase in the coming weeks.

Agents were seen Wednesday morning knocking on the front door of an apartment building at 165 Bartlett St. The interaction was caught on video by the Sun Journal.

“Hey, what’s going on? What’s going on? Talk to me, I’m the owner,” a woman said as she approached agents from the side of the building. She explained that the residence was empty. 

“I believe you,” one agent said. “If you say it’s empty, it’s empty.”

The property owner, who asked not to be named, said she has owned the building for about 15 years and tries to keep good, law-abiding citizens in her units.

“I’m a good citizen, I protect this country,” the woman told the Sun Journal. “I’ve lived in this country for 45 years … and I am not protecting the criminals in this country. … I kicked out all the criminals. (ICE) came in because some of the illegal people, they give my address.

A federal agent, right, talks Wednesday morning with the landlord of the building at 165 Bartlett St. in Lewiston. (Russ Dillingham/Staff Photographer)

“It’s hard to keep your business good with people. It’s a tough job being a landlord, but I try my best to keep good citizens in my property.”

Mayor Carl Sheline called out Operation Catch of the Day and similar operations across the country as “intimidation tactics” reflecting a “complete lack of humanity and concern for basic human welfare.” 

“These masked men with no regard for the rule of law are causing long term damage to our state and to our country,” Sheline said. “Lewiston stands for the dignity of all the people who call Maine home. We will never stop caring for our neighbors.”

The landlord of the building at 165 Bartlett St. in Lewiston, center, talks Wednesday morning to a federal agent. (Russ Dillingham/Staff Photographer)

U.S. Rep. Jared Golden said in a Wednesday statement that federal operations in Maine that stick to fighting crime have his support.

“So long as this remains a targeted law enforcement operation focused on individuals who have engaged in criminal activities then I believe it legitimately serves the public interest,” Golden said.